ISLAMABAD: 5.5-magnitude quake originating from the Hindu Kush mountain range rattled multiple regions, including Islamabad, Peshawar, and various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), according to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
Residents in Swat, Chitral, Rawalpindi, Hangu, and North Waziristan also reported feeling the tremors. The seismic event was recorded at a depth of 199 kilometers, with the epicenter in the Koh Hindu Kush area. So far, no reports of casualties or structural damage have been received.
In a related event, tremors were also experienced in Pasni, Gwadar. The quake there measured 4.5 in magnitude and was recorded at a depth of 13 kilometers, with its epicenter situated 48 kilometers southwest of Pasni, according to NSMC data.Pakistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes is primarily due to its position along the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The country has a history of destructive earthquakes over recent decades.
Earlier this month, a more powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Islamabad, affecting regions such as Punjab, KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Tremors were felt across cities including Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, and Skardu. The PMD indicated that this quake originated in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region at a depth of 190 km.
In February, another quake measuring 5.8 in magnitude shook Islamabad, Swat, and Hunza. The devastating 2005 earthquake in Azad Kashmir resulted in over 73,000 fatalities and left millions homeless.
Balochistan experienced its own seismic tragedy in 2021 when a quake in Harnai caused at least 20 deaths and hindered rescue efforts due to landslides.
Experts warn that the difficult terrain in Pakistan’s earthquake-prone zones complicates relief and rescue operations. They stress the importance of preparedness to mitigate the impact of future seismic events.
The post Magnitude 5.5 Earthquake Shakes Islamabad, Peshawar, and Regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa appeared first on Karachi News.